Athens GA vs Des Moines IA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Athens
57.6%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.6 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 57.6% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 26.2% | 12.0% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,226 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.8% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 29.0% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Athens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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